A public hearing is set for Monday, July 17 for a rezoning to allow an existing 鈥� but illegal - carriage house on Back Road.

Ian Buck, the city鈥檚 Director of Development Services, told council July 4 that a building permit was issued in 1996 for the property owner to build a detached garage.

Somewhere along the way, it was converted into a rental carriage house.

鈥淭he property鈥檚 new owner thought it was lawfully permitted,鈥� Buck said.

Now the owner wants to sell the property and legalize the carriage house.

Buck said the city hasn鈥檛 received any complaints.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a relatively straightforward application,鈥� he said of the rezoning which would change from Residential One to Residential Two.

The property is a panhandle lot near the intersection of Tunner Drive and Back Road. The lot has access on to Back Road.

Surrounding properties are larger residential lots, some of which are zoned to allow secondary suites.

Coun. Doug Hillian said he was curious as to how such a situation comes about.

鈥淧resumably we issued a building permit 鈥� Is this someone pulling a fast one on us? Or is there too much latitude?鈥� he asked.

Buck said the carriage house isn鈥檛 really visible from the road.

鈥淧eople do put in illegal secondary suites 鈥� after the fact,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he conversion was done and we didn鈥檛 receive any complaints.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not the current owner who was responsible. They are trying to legalize it and make things right. Unfortunately, it does happen; not often, but they are difficult to catch.鈥�

The public hearing is scheduled for 5 p.m. at City Hall.